On August 7^th we awoke to a cold rain, which by breakfast time had turned to snow.  Though it lingered only a few hours in even the higher passes of the Park Road (such as where we hiked in the Highway Pass area at just under 4000’), we certainly were all reminded of Jack Frost’s cool breath upon us.  The moderate hike I was leading for the day was thrilled to see all four seasons within one day….from a white morning to the snow melting back and revealing some lingering spring wildflowers, then some sunshine for a summery day, and finally a glimpse at early fall colors amongst the sedges and dwarf birches.  It pulls at my heart strings a little to see the Whitish Gentians, which are the last of our summer wildflowers to begin their blooms.  The fireweed is going to seed as well, another sure sign that the season of summer is fully over.  And in its stead gallops autumn, with its crescendo of reds, oranges, yellows, and chartreuse greens.  Last week the first sandhill cranes were heard by our guides Katie and Drew while hiking on one of the local ridges.  They are making their way southward from their nesting grounds in the arctic.  The blueberries and currants are ripe, and soon we’ll have lingonberries. Our staff spends every free bit of time we have collecting berries, then in our kitchens we turn them into delectable jams and syrups to be enjoyed next summer on our French toast and lunchline spreads.  We’re quickly losing our daylight (six minutes less than yesterday!) and stars and aurora sightings are now a possibility.  When you lie down among the tundra, peering at the intricate reds and oranges, please inhale the fragrance of autumn, and savor the last of the summer days.